Since September 11, 2001, the United States has been caught up in a slowly rising tide of fear and instability. Masked at first by aggressive use of force abroad and intensive security measures at home, terrorism at home has gradually been accepted as an ever-present possibility. To this has now been added the threat of large-scale economic instability and long-term decline. How then can we who are on the path of meditation relate with faith and practicality to these new realities? While generally speaking the “yogic” lifestyle isn’t associated with political activism, “yoga” (which affirms our Oneness) is nonetheless fomenting its own, albeit quiet, revolution: the upliftment and expansion of consciousness one by one.
If the fast pace of globalization were a cyclone, meditation would be the calm in the eye of the storm. Meditation counteracts the threatening and disintegrating aspects of rapid global change by awakening one’s awareness of our underlying connectedness and igniting the self-initiative to work cooperatively with others. When no merely national government or industry can adequately shield its citizens or work force from international trends and rapid change, it is time for individuals to take the initiative. Truthfully, security and stability are never to be found outside of ourselves in any age. But in this age, that truth becomes intensely obvious as day to day life in every nation, city, and town becomes a “reality show” accessible by fast travel, internet, or television!
When the fledgling (and first) Ananda Community in California had all but burned to the ground in a forest fire, Swami Kriyananda stated that “faith is what we need most because faith is the most practical thing of all.” Faith? Not money in the bank? Not the protection of the law? Yes – as time, effort, and grace were to prove – a future network of international communities rose from the ashes of that fire. Faith in ourselves and faith in the goodness of God’s love, wisdom, and mercy in all things is a power no government can match nor any politician promise.
The most powerful political party anywhere is the Faith Party! Membership is restricted to individual souls led by God consciousness, running on a platform of inner peace, funded by unconditional love, and committed to defending the constitution of wisdom.
Conscious, enlightened living is a good start but is not enough. We can each do our part for global warming or the relief of human suffering, but as Mahatma Gandhi put it, now so famously, “we must be the change we seek.” From his followers (Satyagrahis), he demanded nothing less than complete renunciation of personal desires. It is individual dedication that draws the divine grace which is our only true protection and security. If there is to be peace in the world it is we who must enter the state of consciousness that is perfect, inner peace. If there is to be prosperity in the world, it is we who must be free from greed and self-seeking.
In his book “Money Magnetism” Swami Kriyananda demonstrates how material success comes when our life goals are self-giving (rather than self-serving). “Added unto us” (as Jesus put it) are our material needs when we put love for God and service to God in all as our highest priority. Ananda Communities have been founded upon the inspiration of Paramhansa Yogananda who foresaw that practical examples of individuals and families living and serving together cooperatively to express high ideals could demonstrate how to find true happiness in this time of great change and instability. The need for such examples is becoming increasingly obvious as a long era of material security and prosperity appears to be drawing to a close. This is not a view from the depths of despair. It is the promise and the hope for a better world which Paramhansa Yogananda predicted would come, if only after trials and challenges, as a new and expanded consciousness dawns upon our planet. Service, cooperation, and devotion with meditation is the new lifestyle for freedom, security, and happiness.
Blessings to all,
Hriman and Padma